Sorrowland: A Novel

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars | 655 ratings

Price: 17.71

Last update: 08-13-2024


Top reviews from the United States

April Washington
5.0 out of 5 stars The most haunting, exquisite book I've ever read...
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2022
Sorrowland snagged me up from the very first page, holding me close in its snug cocoon. Squeezing.
I couldn't put it down.
Every page was more exquisite, fierce, haunting, wilder than the last.
Every word weaved together a powerful story that will live forever in my soul. The visuals burned into my mind.
Shaken to my core, I yearn. To rage. To howl at the moon. Feel the earth between my toes, and scream until my throat collapses.
It was everything I needed right now, wrapped in a dark shiny bow.
Jarrell Maddox
4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 ⭐️
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2022
This was a good read. A little slow at first but it picked up right before I was over it. I’m not a fan of the ending, but a solid read nonetheless
Buyer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2023
I will admit it was written in a little older of a voice than the main character, in my opinion, but it was a really really good book. Had many unexpected twists and turns and has a very unique plot. It’s also LGBTQ+ friendly. I would read more from this author.
Elle
3.0 out of 5 stars Weird in the weirdest of ways. The last third was like a very bad acid trip. Hold on tight.
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2021
Sorrowland is a weird book. Now...I usually like weird books...a lot. And I did like this one to an extent. But whoa. This one really took things and ran with them. The underlying references and lessons presented in this novel make sense and they are good points, but the delivery of this narrative was just a strange fever dream.

This was my first read from Rivers Solomon and their prose reminds me a lot of Toni Morrison. It's very gauzy and lyrical, like the whole story takes place in a bit of a dreamlike state. That works really well for a good portion of the book, but there were times (particularly in the beginning of the novel) where it felt like maybe the writing was trying just a little too hard and it lost its genuine quality.

The read was a slow build that was a bit of a dystopian/horror mix and moved with pretty good logic for about half the book. Then all of a sudden it was like a switch flipped and things took a hard left turn. The tone of the narrative shifted and felt off and the pacing suddenly started to drag. The things that took place in the last third of the book moved with a bit of unnaturalness and it felt like the ending of the book had been written in a rushed manner. It didn't have the careful construction and magical movement of the first half of the book. Instead it was somewhat choppy, hard to follow, and over the top.

Prior to the mild train wreck of the last section, I was on track to have a 4-star reading experience. That last chunk though...whew...it took me on a ride in a bad way. Like a bad acid trip. That bit of funky mess was probably a 2-star experience at best. So I averaged it out and we land with a middle of the road 3-star read.

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite author
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2021
Marvelous, heartbreaking, breathtaking. And one among thousands of stories of lives stolen and used in the name of someone else's idea of progress, of profit. This story is ultimately victorious for the characters, but keep in mind these victories are the story. The truth (as Vern prefers it) is darker, bloodier, harder. We thrive in the darkness, in the woods, among the ghosts.
Bree
4.0 out of 5 stars OMG
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
Okay so this was kind of a weird book to read. I had no idea where the book was going. This definitely held my interest the entire way through. I couldn’t put it down. Really good story!
Kasey's Book Hoard
2.0 out of 5 stars Too much
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2023
Today's read: Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

Genre: Gothic sci-fi horror/thriller, LGBTQ+ Lit

Happy Juneteenth
For those who don't know: Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the US commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is celebrated on the anniversary of the order by Major General Gordon Granger proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865 (two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued).

In honor of the day, today I finished this tale horror highlighting the systemic horrors inflicted on Black Americans of the past, the present, and if we don't make changes, the future.

The book is heavy in theme and symbolism: Vern the MC is literally infected with a corrupting fungus, a rot that consumes her, yet makes her stronger; she literally transforms into a monstrosity but twists that metamorphosis into a super-power. However, I felt the plot and impact was lost in too many tangled layers of misery and adversity. The plot and the point feel muddy and thin.

I find I very much wanted to like this book. The themes within are important, and I've liked other works by the author, but this one was a let down.

"Those like her wanted people to think their power was eternal, but even gods died. Empires, too. Continents shifted. Nations came. Nations went. Castles became ruins. 'I’m going to fight them,' said Vern."
Loveness
5.0 out of 5 stars j
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2022
The first 75% of this was not for me, too much with the kids and low plot. Vern is unlikable but relatable and fantastic. Very satisfying ending.

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